A pebble dropped on a glass-smooth lake creates expanding ripples that stretch outward as far as the eye can see. The mission of Ripple Kids Inc. is inspired by just such an idea: that if children see other children doing something to help make the world a better place, they too will be inspired to make a change in their community, and in turn inspire others--a ripple effect that eventually can change the world.
Reaching Out to Kids Who Want to Help
“Children have an unbelievable ability to identify something wrong and have a strong desire to fix it,” says Bridget Belden, CEO and founder of Ripple Kids, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Tustin, California. “I founded Ripple Kids to publicize all the wonderful things that children are doing to make the world a better place.”
Ripple Kids Plan Varied Projects
Members of Ripple Kids, Inc. hold monthly meetings to brainstorm project ideas. Following the Haitian earthquake last month, Ripple Kids collected shoes for Haitian earthquake victims and held a canned food drive.
Children throughout the United States can be Ripple Kids. Any child who participates in a community service project is invited to share their experience by posting the project online to Ripplekids.com. The Ripple Kids also website features resources, games, parent information, school information, and fundraising ideas.
Since 2007, 150 projects have been submitted online. Zack, 9, in Florida, helped people who couldn’t afford pet food by starting a pet food pantry. He received donations of over 100 pounds of dog food to help people take care of their pets, rather than abandon their pets to shelters. Three kindergarteners, Kai, Charlie and Blake, set up a lemonade stand to raise money to send a disadvantaged friend to camp. 8-year-old Liv from California created a website (www.kidsthinkglobal.com) to encourage other kids to help in their communities.
Parental Support Make a Difference
Parental support is essential for the children, but parents are urged to let their children manage their project themselves. The key thing, explains Ms. Belden, is that the kids involved are empowered to make a difference—no matter how big or small. “We’ve had Ripple Kids who have raised half a million dollars for pediatric cancer over the course of several years," she says. "And Ripple Kids who raised $150 in 90 minutes at a lemonade stand for Haiti."
Ms. Belden, a mother herself, has insight for parents. “The time you spend with your kids helping them find a way to respond to the world’s problems is so worthwhile. The reward is found in all the people who buy the cookies or get their car washed and are also inspired. Some might even go out and have their own bake sale. That is what Ripple Kids is all about--creating that ripple that helps change the world.”
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